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Snowy
Owl Sightings
____________________________________________________
Uploaded: 16th January
2009
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Following the flurry of media activity over the recent snowy owl sighting in Cornwall, there are two more reports of snowy owl females
- one at Lihou on Guernsey, and one on the east coast of Alderney.
Alderney Wildlife Trust manager, Roland Gauvain said: "Over time the Alderney owl’s markings have become much more distinctive and we believe it's a first year female, with a wing span of around 1.6m.
It's been fascinating to watch it grow in its first full year here, so far south of its normal territories."
It's thought that north easterly winds experienced shortly before its arrival may have brought
the Alderney bird down over the North Sea, rather than across the Atlantic and Irish Sea.
This area of coast is only eight miles from the Cap de la Hague peninsular in northern France and at the centre of the Alderney Wildlife Trust's
'Longis Nature Reserve'.
Alderney manages to attract its fair share of feathered visitors, but the last sighting of a snowy owl was in 1993. The Wildlife Trusts and the BTO are encouraging people to keep their eyes peeled and report any further sightings at: www.birdatlas.net.
The Alderney snowy was first sighted in November, and by late December it could be regularly seen sitting on
rocks on the eastern end of the island, well protected from casual walkers or dogs.
It often gets attention from the resident crows, but it hardly bothers to respond. The large population of rabbits in this area could explain why it doesn't move more than 1km up or down the coast.
Local walkers have made a point of walking this area daily to keep an eye on the bird and make sure no one is trying to get too close. It is fast approaching the
breeding season for snowy owls so Alderney Wildlife Trust is unsure as to how much longer the snowy owl will stay.
 A
Guide to British Owls and Owl Pellets
Fully illustrated guide to the five species of resident owl. Shows the
owls flying and perched, the contents of their different pellets,
including skulls, jaws, teeth and more. Buy
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Our Price - £2.95
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Related Links:
UK Safari Owl Section
Whittet Book of Owls
UK Safari News
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